Edy Tavares Named 2016-17 NBA D-League Defensive Player of The Year

NEW YORK, April 18, 2017 – Raptors 905 center Edy Tavares, who received a GATORADE Call-Up to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12, has been named the 2016-17 NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s 22 head coaches.

Tavares (7-3, 265) appeared in 48 games for Raptors 905 this season, anchoring a defense that held opponents to a league-low 98.0 points per game and 42.8 percent shooting. Raptors 905 allowed 94.5 points per 100 possessions when Tavares was on the court.

Tavares tied for the NBA D-League lead with 2.7 blocks per game. On March 25, he recorded an NBA D-League season-high 12 blocks as part of a triple-double that included 15 points and 11 rebounds. He also averaged 10.6 points on 59.1 percent shooting (eighth in the league) and 7.7 rebounds.

A 2017 NBA D-League All-Star, Tavares helped Raptors 905 to a league-best 39-11 record. The team swept the Canton Charge in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and currently leads the Maine Red Claws 1-0 in the Conference Finals.

Tavares , who was born in Maio, Cape Verde, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 43rd pick in NBA Draft 2014 presented by State Farm. Before signing with Cleveland, he appeared in 12 games with the Hawks and owns career averages of 2.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 7.8 minutes.